Player profile: Rajon Rondo
It might be hard to believe, but we're less than two weeks away from the Celtics' season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Banknorth Garden on Oct. 28. In the meantime, the Celtics have a pair of preseason games each against the Nets and Knicks, and one player to cut from their roster by Oct. 27.
Today we begin a series of profiles for all 16 players on the current Celtics roster. We'll profile at least one player each day leading up to the season opener.
Rajon Rondo
We'll start with a player everyone knows but may not know everything about. Outside of the Big Three, Rondo was arguably the key to Boston's championship run last season, maturing into a point guard capable of leading his team to a title.
 Rajon Rondo ran up the floor after scoring a basket in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) |
Born: Feb. 22, 1986
Height: 6 feet 1 inch ... Weight: 171
College: Kentucky
Years pro: 2
Acquired: Drafted No. 21 by Boston in 2006.
2008/2009 salary: $1.6 million
Signed through: 2009-2010 (team will pick up option).
Last year's numbers: 10.6 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.2 rpg.
Strengths: It's easy to forget Rondo is just 22-years-old. The young point guard put to rest any notions that is unfit or unready to run an NBA offense by cementing his place as a starter on a championship team. Rondo's defense is unrelenting. He uses his quickness to beat his opponents to spots on the floor, and he uses his freakishly large hands to disrupt the passing lanes. On offense, Rondo is a top-notch penetrator and one of the better ball-handlers in the league.
Weaknesses: Everyone knows about the jump shot. While Rondo improved his mid-range game (he shot 49 percent from the field last season), his 26 percent three-point shooting means he isn't a threat from deep. And opponents still give him room from even closer in. Rondo could also work on his decision-making, but what 22-year-old point guard couldn't? He also has a discouraging habit of completely disappearing during some games, so his consistency can be improved.
What to expect: Rondo should be even better in 2008-2009 than he was last season. For one, he says he's added about 7 pounds of muscle (I couldn't coax him to a scale, however). He's also a year older, he's earned the trust of the Big Three, and he has NBA Finals experience. And there's no real threat for Rondo to lose his job with the aging Sam Cassell, shoot-first Eddie House, and a young Gabe Pruitt behind him. Rondo's confidence is sky-high right now, and for good reason.
Check back tomorrow for another player profile, and give us your expectations for Rondo in our comments section.
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33 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.9 SPG
Rajon Rondo is 3 years away from entering into his prime playing years and he will only improve in each of those seasons. I wouldn't trade him straight up for any other pg in the league.
Comcast recently fired Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy. Please join us on boston.com Celtics forum as we organize a protest and boycott to teach the Pa based Comcast that we will not allow them to insult a living legend in this manner.
32 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.1 SPG
I would like to see more in depth articles on the players we all know and love, I feel like the Boston writers and sports teams work pretty hard to keep the fans in the dark. Most of the time we only get to know the players name and whatever the stat line/injury report tells us. I would like to get a better idea of the behind the scenes stuff, what the reporters and players see day to day, other than the basic stat lines that we all can find out on the internet. I know that is all the Patriots will give us, but I was hoping the Celtics/Red Sox might try to give the fans something more.
Wouldnt trade him for any other pg straight up in the league?.....Did you forget about CP3 and Deron Williams (both under 24)
To be himself and keep getting better.
In response to tux1124...I agree wholeheartedly. Sorry not to make this obvious, but these profiles are meant to give quick snapshots of each player before the season, and provide one reporter's opinion on how each player will project this year. Look for behind-the-scenes coverage in the blog during the season, and look for in-depth articles from my colleagues Marc Spears and Frank Dell'Apa throughout the year.
Good to know Gary, I look forward to seeing (reading) more on this team as their popularity increases. Thanks for the good work.
Rajon is just a delight. I think of him as a coming Menu Ginobli, a disruptor on defense and a very clever shot taker. Still too cautious about his own shot and he always looks awkward as a shooter in my eyes. But he can do things with the ball that remind me of Bob Cousey.
Rondo is the best
He's good no doubt. What I like about him is when he has ball all other 4 actively move as they expect a pass anytime. He makes others look better. But he got to work on his freethrows though. I say he's belongs in the top 10 PGs.
He is the player that i like to watch the most as he thinks team first. He is a true Celtic that is a asset to the team, fans and the organization. Class Class Class!
Rajon Rondo is in my opinion, a rising star and a great player!!!!!!
Rondo has done nothing but amaze the fans as well as NBA vets and the Celtics organization since he set foot in the big leagues. Already winning a ring after his 2nd year with the Celtics, he has proven nothing but 100% Celtic Pride and the way a point guard should play. If he improves in his 3pt shooting to Eddie House status, he will be basically an All-star, MVP and a serious threat to any guard that faces him on the court. Phoenix really lost out on trading Rondo.
Celtics have big four.
Omg rondo u r my idol !!!!!! i love you soooo much !! i have ur sweatband that you gave me from one of ur games !!! i also saw u at bonkers for leon powe's son b-day !!!! n i have a wristnband that says rondo'S #1 FAN !! u r my favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wat up doe dawg yo jump shot is inproving dawg lots of props to u in ur team and that championship u got bro u go see me in the nba in 4 to 5 years bro iam 13 live in detroit lots of props to u bro
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